Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Wednesday: Bucs-Brewers, Cole Train v Jimmy Nelson, Lineup, Notes

Today: A getaway day matinee that begins at 2:10. It's on AT&T SportsNet and 93.7 The Fan.

Lineup: Starling Marte LF, Josh Harrison 2B, Cutch CF, Josh Bell 1B, David Freese 3B, Adam Frazier RF, Jordy Mercer SS, Stew C, Gerrit Cole P. Yesterday's lineup gets another chance; a bit of a surprise that Stew gets short rest; doesn't say much for how the Pirates look at Diaz.

Cole Train has been back on track (photo Getty Images)

Pitchers: Gerrit Cole (10-8, 3.96) takes on Jimmy Nelson (9-6, 3.72) to finish the quick two day set. Cole Train has 7-2/3.03 over his last 11 starts and has a 2.70 ERA in six starts since the All-Star break. good news: he's 7-0 in his last road starts on the road, where he hasn’t lost since late May. Gerrit is 3-3/2.95 in 10 career starts against the Brew Crew and 1-0/1.29 in three starts this year, lasting seven innings in all three outings. Don't let Nelson's ERA fool you. After a rough May, he was tossing to a 3.24 line until his last outing when the Reds rang up nine runs on him, adding half-a-point to that number. He's faced the Bucs twice this year, working a three-inning zero in a rain game and being chased after five in his latest July outing, giving up all the runs in a 4-2 Buc win.

Notes:
  • There are conflicting stories on Cervy's sore paw, so we guess it's still a day-to-day thing. The news on Gregory isn't good; he may be done for the season although the team still holds out hope he'll get some time in. He was sent to Pittsburgh ahead of the team for additional testing. We wonder if some of the problem with these nagging injuries isn't a rush to get them back in the lineup (often at the player's urging, it should be noted).
  • The Pirates have dropped three in a row; the Brew Crew has won three in a row.
  • The Bucs will begin an eight-game homestand against the Cardinals and Dodgers after the game. Sunday’s “home” game against St. Louis will be played as part of the Little League Classic in Williamsport during a celebration of youth baseball. It will also be the first home game played by the Pirates at a neutral site since September 22nd, 1890, against the New York Giants in Wheeling, West Virginia.
  • Tristan Gray, a Pirates 2B prospect from Rice playing for West Virginia who was selected in the 13th round of this year's draft, homered and was named the Penn-NY League's All-Star MVP.

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